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Reading´s McCarthy goes under the knife

The 23-year-old former England Under-21 international made seven top flight appearances this season before picking up an injury in Reading's 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last month.

McCarthy has now undergone surgery in London to rectify the problem.

"We had an encouraging MRI scan on the Monday after the QPR game," Head of Sports Medicine Luke Anthony told the club's official website.

"Then we saw a shoulder specialist the following day and he was also positive that Alex should be able to recover with a conservative rehab programme.

"But it soon became clear that the structural damage wasn't going to improve without surgery, so we saw another consultant late last week and then on Monday Alex successfully had his labrum tissue repaired.

"Understandably supporters will ask how long Alex will be out, and it's difficult to put a time frame on his return.

"The most important thing is for Alex to make a full recovery and return in optimal condition. If that allows him to return before the end of the season then that is something we will try for."

Reading are 19th in the Premier League with nine points from their opening 14 games, four points adrift of safety. They take on fellow strugglers Southampton away from home on Saturday.